Happy homecoming for Robinson

Jason Robinson celebrated his return home to Leeds with the news that he will remain as England captain for next month's RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Wales in Cardiff.

The Sale Sharks full-back will continue in a role he filled during England's three-Test autumn programme while Jonny Wilkinson was sidelined with a bicep injury.

With Wilkinson now nursing a knee ligament problem which threatens his Six Nations prospects, England head coach Andy Robinson has wasted no time in retaining the same captain for his team's first Six Nations fixture on February 5.

"Jason has the respect of the whole squad and proved himself to be a true leader on and off the pitch last November," said Robinson, as England began three days of training with Super League champions Leeds Rhinos.

"We are fortunate to be able to call upon him to step up to the captaincy role while Jonny Wilkinson recovers from his knee injury."

Robinson's captaincy reign began with victories over Canada and Tri-Nations champions South Africa, before England lost narrowly to Australia at Twickenham.

Wilkinson looks certain to also miss England's appointment with Six Nations champions France eight days after the Wales game, so Robinson could enjoy an extended stint in the job.

Following the French encounter, England tackle Ireland in Dublin on February 27 before facing March assignments against Italy and Scotland at Twickenham.

England's injury worries, especially in midfield, show no sign of easing.

Centres Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood are already out of the Wales clash, and it was confirmed last night that Wasps' Stuart Abbott will miss the entire Six Nations campaign.

Abbott, a leading contender to fill the inside-centre role against Wales, will be in plaster for 12 weeks after breaking his right leg following a collision with Biarritz flanker Serge Betsen when Wasps crashed out of the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

Robinson, meanwhile, has called Gloucester number eight Adam Balding and Leicester fly-half Andy Goode into the squad to train with Leeds.

Rhinos coach Tony Smith led yesterday afternoon's session in Yorkshire, while training today will see both rugby codes playing league at Headingley.

Robinson views the sessions as key to England's development in 2005, following a disappointing 12 months during which they lost six out of 11 games and finished third in last season's Six Nations tournament.